Brantford defeated Erie convincingly, Kitchener hosted the Memorial Cup Champions Saginaw, and Oshawa and Barrie faced each other in their preseason opener
Brantford defeated Erie convincingly, Kitchener hosted the Memorial Cup Champions Saginaw, and Oshawa and Barrie faced each other in their preseason opener
The OHL preseason resumed over the Labour Day weekend, with nine games taking place, a first look at the newly relocated Brampton Steelheads, and a couple of teams putting up a 10-spot on their opponents.
Let's review all the action from this past weekend, starting with the three Saturday games.
Erie Otters vs. Brantford Bulldogs
The Labour Day weekend showcase continued, with the Erie Otters and Brantford Bulldogs each taking in their second games of the preseason.
The fans in attendance were treated to a high-scoring affair, which saw the Bulldogs pot home 10 goals past Erie netminder Jackson Curran. The two teams combined for seven goals in the opening frame. Erie outshot Brantford in all three periods, resulting in a 34-26 final shot count.
Game Notes:
-Chicago Blackhawks prospect, Nick Lardis, kicked off his preseason with two goals and an assist.
-Montreal Canadiens defense prospect, Owen Protz, also had a strong start to his season with three assists (two primary assists).
-OHL's Rookie of the Year, Jake O'Brien, got in on the offense, matching Lardis' production (two goals and an assist).
-2025 NHL draft-eligible defenseman, Ben Radley, scored twice, bringing him up to three goals in two games.
Saginaw Spirit vs. Kitchener Rangers
Saginaw and Kitchener went the distance, with the home team Rangers narrowly edging past the Memorial Cup champs 4-3 in a shootout.
After the first period, the Spirit were on top with a 2-0 lead thanks to goals by Joey Willis and Michael Misa. However, the Rangers equalized in the second frame with two goals in the first ten minutes from defenseman Max Dirracolo and newly named assistant captain, Luke Ellinas.
Overage forward Antonino Pugliese got the Aud cheering early in the third, but Joey Willis responded on the penalty kill later in the frame for his second of the game, tying it up 3-3.
Overtime solved nothing and we headed to a shootout. Saginaw's Lincoln Moore scored first in the second round but Kitchener's Ellinas responded. Misa couldn't bury his chance for the Spirit, allowing Pugliese to play hero and give the Rangers their second victory of the preseason.
Game Notes:
-Kitchener 2024 fifth-rounder, goaltender Jason Schaubel, stopped 24 of 27 in his OHL debut.
-Saginaw 2024 seventh-rounder, Liam Campbell, added another assist after his two-goal performance in their preseason opener against Brantford.
-Joey Willis and Michael Misa looked in prime condition and ready to lead the Spirit in the upcoming season.
Oshawa Generals vs. Barrie Colts
Oshawa and Barrie kickstarted their 2024 preseason with a back-and-forth affair. The Colts outshot the Gens 16-7 and outscored them 3-1 in the first period. However, Oshawa responded in a commanding fashion.
The Generals outshot Barrie 25-8 in the second period. Owen Griffin and Matthew Buckley each scored to tie the game up at three. Barrie's Zach Wigle and Ethan Toms added goals late in the frame and sent this close match to the third with a 4-4 draw.
After Barrie successfully killed off an Oshawa powerplay, Shamar Moses rifled home his first of the preseason and the game-winning goal, as Barrie stepped past their Eastern opponents by a score of 5-4.
Game Notes:
-Oshawa's 2024 second-rounder, towering 6-foot-6 winger Brooks Rogowski, recorded two assists in his first taste of what the OHL is like.
-Both teams' recent first-rounders — Generals' Brady Smith and Barrie's Parker Vaughan — gave their new franchises a first look. Smith had three shots, while Vaughan registered an assist.
-Generals forward, Ethan Toms, recorded two goals and may have a more elevated role on the team in 2024-25.
-2025 NHL draft-eligible prospect, Shamar Moses, scored the game-winner, added an assist, recorded six shots on net, and a fighting-instigator major penalty in the second.
-Colts goalie, Ben Hrebik, was the busier goalie out of the two and made 37 stops against 41 shots.
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